Barnes & Noble Interview
I love any book that’s “loosely” based on someone’s real life. Especially when it’s the real life of a celebrity. So when I heard about Irene Zutell’s novel Pieces of Happily Ever After inspired by the headline-making story of that cameraman who left his wife for, er, Julia Roberts, I was quick to snatch it up. Even though I didn’t know all of the details of why Danny Moder left (do you ever when your source is a rag mag?), I did feel for his wife because she had to go through all of it in the public eye.
Like poor Sandra Bullock. Is it just me or did that one hit you hard, too? I was so happy for her when she won the Oscar and during her speech when the camera panned over to her husband, Jessie, and he was teary-eyed. I thought to myself, they are so sweet together. Then a few days later: boom! Cheating allegations. It just makes me sick when bad things happen to good people.
But I guess that’s the unfortunate thing about being a celebrity or being married to one: When something bad happens to you, it happens with cameras in your face and people writing about it. (In my defense, this is a segue into a book review.) But I am one of those voyeurs (although I consider myself a voyeur with a heart). I buy Us Weekly to find out the latest on Sandra and I flip on Access Hollywood to find out if Tiger Woods and Elin are working it out.
But imagine if you lived next door to one of these celebrities? Well, Irene Zutell had that perspective. And that’s what inspired her to write her novel Pieces of Happily Ever After. And her book about a divorced mother of a five-year-old, whose ex-husband leaves her for a movie star, is a must-read. It’s heartwarming, gripping, and incredibly satisfying. Lucky for us, Irene took some time out of her busy schedule (she’s also a mother of two!) to answer some questions.
Lisa Steinke: Tell us the story of what sparked the idea for Pieces of Happily Ever After?
Irene Zutell: A woman down the street from our house was dumped by her husband for another woman—but not just any woman—Julia Roberts. As a former People reporter, I left her notes and tried to get her to do a tell-all book with me, but she didn’t want to. (Who could blame her?) Her husband (Danny Moder) wound up marrying Julia Roberts and having children with her. I thought, this poor woman is not only going through a divorce, but she has to hear about her ex all the time. I had this image in my head of a woman trapped in her home because the paparazzi were outside. I thought it would be a great starting off point for a book about a lot of other things.
LS: The story is about many things, but mostly it's about the relationship between a mother and her young daughter. How did your role as a mother make its way into your book?
IZ: Even though the woman whom I loosely based this novel on didn’t have children, I decided to give Alice, my heroine, a daughter, because it changes everything. As you know, once you have a child, you can’t put yourself first. You can’t cry and lock yourself in your room for weeks. You have to keep on going and doing the best you can. This makes for a much more interesting, complex character.
LS: Gabby, the five-year-old daughter in the book, is an old soul. Is she based on one or both of your children?
IZ: I keep a journal of all the crazy, insightful things my daughter Olivia says. I had to find a place to write about her. So when I came up with the idea for the book, I basically gave Alice my daughter as her daughter. Funny part is, a few publishers rejected the book saying I didn’t know how to write in a five-year-old’s voice!
LS: Describe your writing style and any fun rituals you have?
IZ: With two young children, I really just try to write whenever I have free time and at night. Before I start a book, I have to outline everything. I know exactly where I’m going before I start writing. Things may change along the way, but not in any major way.
Buy Pieces of Happily Ever After (and watch the book trailer!) here: http://bit.ly/akxsUK
Download the eBook version of Pieces of Happily Ever After here: http://bit.ly/bLVHRe
Lisa Steinke, along with her best friend Liz Fenton, co-authored the chick lit novel I’ll Have Who She’s Having and co-created the popular Chick Lit blog, Chick Lit is Not Dead.